Causes and Consequences of Teen Childbearing: Evidence from a Reproductive Health Intervention in South Africa

Abstract:

The rollout of the National Adolescent Friendly Clinic Initiative (NAFCI) serves as a natural experiment to study the causes and consequences of early teen child bearing. Geolinking residence histories to the rollout, we estimate that living near a NAFCI clinic during adolescence delayed early childbearing by 1.2 years on average. Adolescents who had access to NAFCI completed more years of schooling and, consistent with increased human capital investments, earn substantially higher wages as young adults. Children born to women who had access to youth-friendly services as teens show substantial health advantages, indicating a strong intergenerational benefit of delayed childbearing.

Description:

We are grateful to Cally Ardington, Martha Bailey, Diane Cooper, Robert Garlick, David Lam, Murray Leibbrandt, and Jeff Smith for helpful comments and guidance.